Tehran – Two large clay bottles that could date back to prehistoric times have been discovered in Delaran County, Ilam, in western Iran.
The artifacts appeared after roadside collapse caused by soil erosion and were immediately transferred to a local museum for conservation and further research.
The discovery was reported by local residents who noticed a partial exposure of the bottles along the edge of a country road, according to Farzad Sharifi, the state director of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts.
In response, he said cultural heritage experts, archaeologists, conservation officers, local police and community prosecutors were sent to the site to secure the area and evaluate the findings.
“The initial assessment suggests that these clay jars are ancient and likely to be used to store dry matter such as grains and legumes,” Sharifi said.
The jars made of red ceramics are considered to be a remnant of the area’s early human settlements and cultural activities.
Both bottles were carefully excavated and transported to ILAM’s state storage facilities for conservation and further archaeological analysis. One bottle was found to be completely intact, while the other showed signs of a crack.
Officials plan to restore and ultimately display artifacts at many museums across the state.
“This discovery adds to a set of evidence highlighting the importance of Ilam as a cradle of early civilizations on Iranian plateaus,” Sharifi said. He added that the state, known for its deep historical roots, has in recent years brought numerous valuable discoveries ranging from Islamic times to prehistoric times.
Ongoing research will determine the exact age and cultural context of newly discovered bottles that underline the official.
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